West Hartford Magazine • Vol. 10, No. 2 2020

Vol. 10, No. 2 2020

$4.95

Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine I 1 • TRAVEL • WINE SCIENCE • HEALTH • DINING • WEDDINGS

IN-STORE • CURBSIDE • APPOINTMENT • ONLINE 2

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

Summer Treats

- Tradition starts here -

LBGreen.com

800.524.7336

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

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contents Vol. 10, No. 2 2020

DEPARTMENTS 30

43

WINE The Many Shades of Rose

32 GARDEN

45

CHAMBER NOTES

Quarantine Gardens

34

FOODIE AND SON

BEAUTY Summer Strategies

49

WEDDINGS UDOLF SAMEROFF

38 FINANCE

Avoid Retirement Mistakes

Pictured on the cover is a depiction of COVID-19 by Xvivo.

See story on page 12

FEATURES 12

THE ART OF SCIENCE

18

CONGRATS CLASS OF 2020

25 TRAVEL

DUBLIN, DONEGAL & NORTHERN IRELAND

52

WEDDINGS PUTTING LOVE ON HOLD

54 CELEBRATIONS

4

SPECIAL SECTION

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

TRENDING Celebrations 2020

“I’m thrilled to be at William Raveis, whose focus is

Marketing and Technology

with a connection to

a great International Network.”

Robin and Raveis ... what a great combination!

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

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Dedicated to Service for over 50 years

WeHa Publisher Tom Hickey Associate Publisher Leslie Iarusso Editor in Chief Judie Jacobson Sales and Marketing Director Donna Edelstein Creative Director Elisa S. Wagner Digital Media Manager Hillary Sarrasin Graphic Designer Chris Bonito Accounts Manager Judy Yung Proofreader Tim Knecht Office Manager Howard Meyerowitz

Providing our community with the BEST possible service in their time of need.

1084 New Britain Ave. West Hartford 860.561.3800 | www.sheehanhilbornbreen.com

Contributing Writers & Columnists: Whitney F. Burr, Chris Conway, Erin Fox, Karla Dalley, Stacey Dresner, Ertan Seyyar Sener, Lisa Martin, Max Weinstein Photography Todd Fairchild/Shutterbug CT Intern Hunter Marotto Publishing Partner Ledger Publications Websites: We-Ha.com, WestHartfordMagazine.com, Wehawheels.com, JewishLedger.com, 20Media20.com, weha.cal.com Mike Roy/Roy Web Design Principals Thomas P. Hickey II, Joy B. Taylor, James H. Gould III

40 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105 westhartfordmagazine.com office: 860.508.4032 West Hartford Magazine is published by 2020 Media.

To subscribe, renew or change address write: West Hartford Magazine, PO Box 271835, West Hartford, CT 06127; www.we-ha.com/subscribe. ADVERTISING: 860-508-4032. ©2020 WHMedia, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without express permission of the publisher. West Hartford Magazine is a registered trademark owned by WHMedia, Inc. The opinions expressed by writers published by West Hartford Magazine are not necessarily those of the magazine.

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

Follow us on Social Media: Facebook West Hartford Magazine We-Ha.com Twitter @westhartfordmag @wehartford Instagram @westhartfordite Hashtags #wehaevents #bestofweha

#weha #westhartford #wehahacomedy follow us on

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

Getting back to “normal” Dear Reader, Like all of you I’m sure, when we left our office back in March we said “see you soon,” thinking we would be back behind our desks soon after Passover or Easter or spring…at the very latest. Who would have thought we would only now begin to emerge from shelter-in-place cocoons to finally bask in the light of day?

But here we are — a little later than expected, to be sure, but revved up and rarin’ to go.

We do hope that this first “post-quarantine” issue — which is being published online only — finds you, and your family, friends and co-workers, safe and well. And we’d like to also take this opportunity to give a great big “shout-out” to the many essential workers who continually risk their own health and well-being for the sake of us all.

Of course, the fact that our 2020 Media team were confined to our respective homes doesn’t mean we weren’t working. Indeed, like so many others, we remained hard at work formulating plans for several innovative programs that we know will be of great benefit to the community.

One such noteworthy program, launched just this month, is WeHaCAL.com, a unique and comprehensive calendar of community-wide events, serving the town of West Hartford and its surrounding areas.

The idea for WeHaCAL.com took root earlier this year when, caught in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were “Zoomstorming” ways in which 2020 Media could help our community. Sitting on the sidelines is simply not in our nature. We needed to be involved, to help out. Still, we wondered what we could we possibly do to contribute to the cause.

After all, our expertise is marketing, not medicine.

And that was our “aha” moment. Our expertise is marketing — so let’s market.

Given that there wasn’t all that much to market during the pandemic, we set our sights on the recovery period. We realized that eventually the wheels of commerce would begin to turn once again; our community organizations would soon throw open their doors and welcome residents in need of their vital services. But once things were up and running, bringing people back in would not be a simple task. It would require a marketing boost.

And so we created WeHaCAL.com — a new community calendar that promotes all upcoming events by gathering them together in one place and thus making them easier for people to find. We knew that, after being cooped up and stressed out for so long, people will be looking for interesting and exciting things to do that will get them out of the house and back among family, friends and neighbors. Now we’re barely off the launch pad and, as predicted, we’re already listing in WeHaCAL.com new or rescheduled community events.

How does our WeHaCAL.com work? WeHaCAL. com automatically uploads event information listed in the individual calendars of participating local organizations — which to date includes the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and we-ha. com, with more to come — and also invites nonparticipating organizations to upload their own event information. The result: one all-inclusive resource that community members can easily access to find out what’s happening around town.

Events listed on WeHaCAL.com and the calendars of participating organi-zations link to one another — allowing organizations to reach an even broader audience.

Offered as a community service, listing events in WeHaCAL.com is absolutely free of charge.

A program of 2020 Media, it is made possible by generous funding from Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, Burr Capital Advisors, French Cleaners, and the sponsors of WeHa Wheels.

Please go online and check it out…along with the latest about these popular 2020 Media programs: Good news for the many people who were sorely disappointed by the cancellation of our popular Taste of West Hartford event this past spring.

Plans are already in full swing for our Sunday, Sept. 13 Taste of West Hartford at Edens event, generously sponsored by Westfield Bank. To purchase tickets, visit EventBrite.com. Tickets purchased for the spring event will be honored. Hope to see you all there!

And then there’s WeHa Wheels — West Hartford’s FREE shuttle service that promises riders a first-class and safe evening of fun by picking them up and transporting them all around town.

Thanks to the pandemic, it may not burning up

the road these days, but that doesn’t mean WeHa Wheels isn’t kicking up quite a buzz. Exciting plans are in the works and we hope to share them with you in the coming days. Finally, a very special thank you to all of our sponsors for their continued support during these trying times. Thanks to your continued support we’re happy to report that we have successfully navigated this storm and we’ve come out stronger than even before. We hope all our readers will join us in showing support for the sponsors listed below: Black Diamond Body Piercing Blue Plate Kitchen EDENS Face It Med Spa Harry’s Pizza The Fix Hartford HealthCare Keating Insurance Lisa Martin, Cruise Planners Lux Bond & Green Modern Tire Mohegan Sun Udolf Properties University of St. Joseph Veterinary Specialists of CT Westfield Bank You can always find us here!

Facebook West Hartford Magazine We-Ha.com Twitter @westhartfordmag @wehartford Instagram @westhartfordite Hashtags #wehaevents #bestofweha

#weha #westhartford #wehahacomedy

Thomas P. Hickey, Publisher tomh@westhartfordmagazine.com

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

PRESENTS

SPOTLIGHT ON

MENTAL

HEALTH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

FEATURED SPEAKER

Brooke Shields Actress, Model, Author, & Mental Health Advocate

Rosenberg Family

PMS 369 green & Black

Antonia’s Hair Boutique

Lisa and Peter Fishman

WeHa Media Sponsors

AS OF 2/19/20

Ticket information to follow 860.236.1927 | JFSHartford.org

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Vol. 9, No. 3, 2019 west hartford magazine

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Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation

At the Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation, we understand that comfort and familiarity is a key part of the journey to wellness.

We also understand that maintaining your religious beliefs and principles is fundamental in continued enrichment of life.

Our Kosher meal services allow residents to maintain their dietary requirements throughout their stay with us. At the Hebrew Center, we ensure we follow all principles of Kosher including purchase, storage, preparation, and service.

At the Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation, we also offer a variety of other services and amenities to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible.

THESE SERVICES INCLUDE: • Passport to Rehabilitation Program • Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care • Specialized Memory Care • Respite Care Program • Palliative Care and Hospice Services Coordination

HKC

‫כשר‬

OUR AMENITIES INCLUDE: • Barber/Beauty Shop • Café • Cultural Menus • Laundry and housekeeping services • Patient and Family education • Life Enrichment

For more information on our Kosher program, please contact: DIRECTOR, PASTORAL SERVICES - (860) 523-3800 Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation One Abrahms Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06117

LIKE US ON

more care when you can’t be there

You can’t always be there, in person, to assist the ones you love. We can help.

Hartford HealthCare at Home offers a complete range of services to support your loved one in their home. You can trust our well-trained team to safely deliver outstanding and compassionate care. And being part of the state’s most comprehensive healthcare system means our caregivers have access to the latest training, technology and resources, including personal protective equipment.

We offer: • Certified nursing

• Live-in care

• Rehabilitation

• Companionship

• Hospice care

• Lifeline emergency response system

• Personal care

Trust the care of your loved one to your most trusted caregivers.

1.800.HOMECARE or visit hartfordhealthcareathome.org

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RIBOSOME | MRNA TRANSLATION

THE art OF SCIENCE

BY JUDIE JACOBSON

The beautiful thing about science is that once we understand how things work, we can then make intelligent decisions.”

specifically to scientific companies and individuals who seek to educate by telling stories about science. We teach people about the disease — doctors, patients, students, the general public.”

The story XVIVO tells depends on the client. Some clients want to talk about the technology they use to see into these microscopic worlds. Others have an acute knowledge of how a disease progresses at the molecular level and want to share that information. Still others want to showcase their therapeutic molecules and how they operate.

Regardless of whether they’re tasked with promoting a complex medical breakthrough, a sophisticated technical process, or a cutting-edge invention, XVIVO artists take a client’s innovative scientific accomplishments and transform them into detailed and captivating animations, illustrations and interactive

“

“And ‘intelligent decisions,’ is what we need to make now more than ever,” says Michael Astrachan, West Hartford resident, founder and president of XVIVO, a medical communications company that specializes in telling complex scientific stories in a clear and concise manner, through animation, illustration and interactive media.

“Not a lot of companies do what we do,” says Astrachan. “We tailor our work

experiences, designed to bring the client’s work to life in the most dynamic way possible.

“OUR TEAM IS MADE UP OF ARTISTS WHO LOVE SCIENCE” Located in Wethersfield, XVIVO’s team of 14 seasoned team of scientific and medical artists, animators, illustrators and writers, and emerging tech experts, are all working out of their homes Names from left to right: Chris Roy, Joel Shetler, Rosalyn (Roz) Quinton, Trentity (Trent) DeWitt, Jordan Maire, Tony Bexley, Michael Astrachan, Danae DelBalso, Jonathan Geganto, Katherine (KC) Knack, Barry Furlano, Brett Murrah, Edward Quirk.

(Missing from photo: Alisa Brandt, Julia Grotto, Agnella Izzo Matic, Bethany Astrachan, and Romeo)

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MACHINE-LIKE ACTION OF A BACTERIOPHAGE

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14 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

for now, in keeping with the state’s directive to close non-essential offices.

Still, that circumstance hasn’t impacted their creative spirit or their ability to collaborate with clients, guiding them through all phases of production, including research, script writing, creative development, voice-over, animation, custom music, editing and final delivery.

“The medical illustration field is pretty cool and very specialized,” says Astrachan, noting that XVIVO’s medical illustrators all carry masters degrees and are certified by the Association of Medical Illustrators. “It creates an artist that is uniquely trained not only to draw beautiful pictures and communicate through beautiful ascetics, but also to understand the science and to be able to communication the science in a clear and thoughtful way. We love what we do, and we bring this passion and dedication to our work!”

days we face, they have produced a slew of informative and engaging animations about the mechanisms of virus transmission and the capability of the human body’s immune system to fight back and protect us.

These videos give viewers the unique opportunity to observe the mechanisms of infection as closely as if they were microscopic-sized, traveling through the inside of a human body.

Sounds good — but how does the XVIVO team know what a virus looks like in order to recreate it in an animated video?

“It’s interesting,” says Astachan.

“A lot of the data has been captured by very advanced techniques, like crystallography and other pretty powerful machines that can see molecular structures. Then they can create the data which we can access and and recreate in our software to really represent them exactly as they are.”

The videos aren’t just oddly beautiful to observe. They have a very real, very practical purpose.

“When you see in detail what happens inside our bodies after germs gain entry to our respiratory tracts, it brings home the necessity of safety practices that might otherwise seem too inconvenient or over-the-top. Have a look at how viruses work, and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the significance of protecting yourself and all of those around you as you move through your days.

“Scientists are working furiously to develop more effective COVID-19 treatments and vaccines to lessen existing symptoms and prevent future infections,” explains Astrachan. “Demystifying the science behind this situation can help us gain perspective on where we should be putting our attention and our resources right now.”

HELPING TO NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGING DAYS AHEAD Founded 20 years ago, the XVIVO team understands the significance of this moment in time, as the U.S. continues to be gripped in the vise of the COVID-19 pandemic. And so, to help individuals navigate the challenging

MOLECULAR STRUCTURE VALYL-TRNA SYNTHETASE

OVERCOMING THE MAZE OF THE BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER”

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 15

Better days lie ahead.

We’ll get there together.

As our communities emerge from the challenges of the past few months, Westfield Bank is here to help. We’ve seen how resilient and strong our communities are when people join together. And we’re ready to be a source of strength for our customers and the towns and cities we serve.

While recovery is going to take time, Westfield Bank is committed to doing our part. For more than 165 years, we’ve helped our communities rebound from many setbacks. They always come back stronger.

If COVID-19 has impacted you or your business, give us a call at 800.995.5734. Because we’re here for you every day.

What better banking’s all about. sm

westfieldbank.com I

16 Vol. 10, No. 2, 1, 2020 west hartford magazine

Member

FDIC

YOUR FREE RIDE

IS HERE!

R.S.V.P. now for FREE, safe, luxury transportation in West Hartford, CT Friday and Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Also available for private events

www.wehawheels.com • 866.885.LIMO • Ask for WeHa Wheels All made possible by featured Business Sponsors: Black Diamond • Blue Back Square • Face It • THE FIX • Goff Law Group • Hartford HealthCare • Keating Agency Lisa Martin Cruise Planners w/Avalon Waterways • Modern Tire • Mohegan Sun • Udolf Properties University of St. Joseph • Veterinary Specialists of CT • Harry’s Pizza Bishops Corner • Blue Plate Kitchen

Vol. 10, No. 1, 2020 west hartford magazine Managed by 2020 Media, WHMEDIA and Ledger Publications. Driven

by Premier Limousine.

Partners: West Hartford Magazine, Jewish Ledger, Experience we-ha, we-ha.com

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West Hartford’s 2020 H. S. Graduates FREDERICK U. CONARD HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020 Jeslie Abreu Matthew Adam Jeniffer Ariana Agreda Vasquez

Wagner Fragassi Boucault

Matthew Lawrence DeLutrie

Samantha Casey Giuliano

Faizah Kiran

Patricia Fernand Boulton

Sybella Elizabeth DeMeo

Isabela Marie Glynn

Gavin Thomas Klett

Samantha Rose Bowin

Nicholle D Denault

Xavier Robert Goggins

Ashleigh Victoria Kobialka

Kate MacKenzie Boyd

Christa Michaela DeStefano

Charlie Scott Goglia

Sara Harrison Kohl

Giovanna de Sousa Braga

Cate Rebecca Di Giacomo

Jonathan Elias Golden

Jenna Caroline Kopp

John Patrick Brennan

Jasmine Renee DiGenti

Justin James Goldstein

Sebastian Patrick Krueger

Brian William Brewer

Ella Caroline DiPippo

Nilasia Lee Gomez

Jack William Kuhnly

Hamad Ahmad

Silas Shane Bridges

Sophonias Dires

Antonio Lamar Gordon

Caroline Linda Kumpa

Yazan AL Doumani

Amelia Jane Brightly

Sean E. Dombrofski

Sara Keefe Grady

Emily Kate Kyle

Yousif Marghany Albur

Jason Joseph Bruzon

Haroun B Dridi

Kyshawn Elijah Grant

Leana Marie Lao

Samirah Kidada Alexander

Brian Joseph Burke

Falyne Colleen Driver

Jacob Thomas Gregory

Brianna Q. Le

Alishba Ali

Nathan Jose Caez

Eileen Katherine Droney

Eshe Azizi Griffith

Samantha Olivia Lee

Lucinda Alissi

James Hewitt Calvert

Aubrey Aliguyon Dulnuan

Sean Guevara

Alcide Lemieux IV

Christopher Joseph Allen Jr.

Joao Vitor Campos Alves

Matthew G. Durham

Thao Vy Thuy Ha

Taariq Emmanuel Lewinson

Yazeed Omer Almazraawy

Guilherme Cardoso de Freitas

Carolyn Elizabeth Eddy

Asli Abdullahi Hassan

Harrison Hamilton Lewis

Geldon Mohmoud Farah

Max Mynatt Hassan

James Benjamin Little

Ryan Edward Farley

Maggie Gail Heller

Cheyanne Milagros Lopez

Owen Douglas Fernandez

Gabriel Heath Levinso Hernandez

Miriam Lopez Cruz

Zachary David Anaya George Constantine Andrews

William James Carson Josiah Gabriel Carter

Guillermo Alejandro Antepaz

Renee Belinda Chamberland

Abel Antony

Jonah Mathai Chanthavong

Benjamin Ian Arky

Darren Chen

Nolan Maxwell Asadow

Natalie Ann Chernysh

Jason Alberto Aviles

Gabriel Elijah Chery

Jire Cinque Barlow

McKenna Elise Healy Cheverier

Alexander Dean Barnard Devan Lawlor Barnum Kate Ann Bell Mason Gregory Belville Leonid Georgievich Belyaev Alexus Daniel Benitez Aya Benkoua Jackson Paul Berrettini William Rowland Berry Hayden Thomas Bissonnette Xavier Sebastian Blackwell-Lipkind

Samuel Luis Chozick Ariana Elizabeth Claudio Benjamin William Cohen Zachary Morris Cohen Jadiel Angel Concepcion Sophia Irene Concepcion De’Lauren Coombs Brian George da Costa Pinto John Clark Dalton Justin Minh Dam Thanh Hoang Dao

Alexis Rickless Blinder

Cameron Hunter Davidson

Malazya Moraye Blue

Rachel Rebekah Rae Davis

John Alexander Bonee

Trude Elizabeth Davis

Nathin Alexander Bones

Emily Rae Delaney

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Hannah Rose Ferolano Kenia Ferreira Aoise Caitlin Fitzgerald Julian Oakley Flores Karinna Marie Flores Aidan Joseph Foley Jade Yan Fraioli Samantha Taylor Frigon John Matthew Gabinelle Jillian Elizabeth Gallagher Carla Lorena Garcia Leon Helen Katherine Garde Malonee Shanai Garrett Aarya Gautam Elizabeth Barron Geisler Robert Michael Gerity Sara Elizabeth Gerity Yonas Dires Getachew Khalil Hakim Gilbert-Freymond

Matthew Gordon Hill Jonathan Quoc Ho Johnny Minh Hoang Madison Lyn Hoang Thomas John Hosek Lizah Emilia Hoy Houde Matteo Yale Hunter Jenna Rachel Hutensky

Joniel Lopez Ojeda Madison Paige Lopol Samuel Bruce Louden William Charles Macdonald Hannah Kristine Mack Christopher Philip Maglio Devin Thomas Mahoney Michael Edward Majewski

Edlira Isufi

Carlos Jantae Maldonado Garcia

Gracie Cho Iwersen

Gabriel Gill Maldonado

Chrisjohn Malik Jagdat

David Martin Malugen

Mateu Jaramillo

Anthony Michael Mancini

Mia Katharine Jaworski

Michael Theodore Mancini

Emoni Miya Johnson

Shonayzya Julie Maragh

Makhi A Johnson

Olivia Ann Marcella

Sarah Wyman Kelly

Tyler James Marino

Brian Falvey Kenna

Joseph Kelsey Market-Maestre

Carlos A Kerrigan-Mock Rahul Jung Khadka

Elizabeth Ruth Giles

Sophia Grace Kim

Kaitlyn Melissa Gilson

Taehyun Kim

Daniel Lee Markham Trey Matthew Martin Jorge Luis Martinez Diaz

Joshua Bruce Massey Andrew James Mazzatto Allyson Taylor McKenna Nicholas James McKeown Joshua Lawrence Meehan Max Yazir Mega Vanessa Kate Meikle Zoe Elizabeth Michini Natalie Dare Miller Fumio Minoguchi Isabella Jade Mocadlo Yasmin Khadijah Mohamad Jibriel Fawzy Mohammadu Rasheem Jamel Montes-Daniels

Matthew Alexander Necmergut Taj-Roi Liam Newman Helen Nguyen Henry Nguyen Hieu Thanh Nguyen Ivy Nguyen Justin Dinh Nguyen Lana Nguyen Tanya Nguyen Wilkie Ni Veronica Gabrielle Niedmann Clotilde Maria Noble Frank Emmanuel Nobou

Fallon Grace Moore

Katherine Elisabeth O’Leary

Alexander Morales

Michael Emmanuel Ocasio

Ty Joseph Morales

Ava Elizabeth Odlum

Demarco Keith Morgan

Moufira Nicole Ogountola

Jonathan Stewart Morrey

Oreofeoluwa Eunice Oluwasina

Jonathan Dean Murphy Sam Frederick Musto Alexander Nadeau Syed Mohammad M. Naqvi

Nicholas Roberts

Peter James Simplicio

Julian Boas Peres

Ashanti Shardanee Kintell Robinson

Katherine Elizabeth Simpson

Emma Caroleena Pinckney Brock August Pizzoferrato Zoe Nicole Pizzoferrato Ray Thomas Plocharczyk

Jerveil Kwame Prempeh

Hollis Katherine O’Connor

Andrew Brian Murillo

Tatiana Rubi Pelaez

Mary Grace Policelli

Vina Nguyen

Daniel Lewis Monyak

Reana Mucka

Isabella Simoes

Anisha Pokhrel

Aaliyah Lexis Norton

Anastasia Mae Mozonski

Brian Armando Rivera-Royal

Benjamin Jurgis Petkaitis

Connor Patrick Montgomery

Lindsay Elizabeth Moynihan

Joshua Augustus Pechenuk

Kayla Nicole Oriola Victor Manuel Ortiz Jr. Kaliya Elizabeth Ortiz Saverio Foster Palaia Kitana Dara Park Brenden John Parker Elizabeth Anne Parker Brahmdeep Singh Parmar

Brian Thomas Puleo Huubang Diep Quach Kaylynn Quach Jyojyolung Rai Carmen Mariel Ramirez Parra Damian Andres Ramos Corinne Raphino Ukase Raut Jasmine Delfina Rawls

Melany Abigail Recinos-Vargas Jorgens Remy Ashley Jasmine Requenes Dylan C. Richards Nathan Pierce Rinaldi Juan Andres Rivera Velazquez

Abigail Marie Rocktaschel Sara Elizabeth Rodonis Xaymara Rodriguez Samuel William Rothfarb Saige Elizabeth Rovero John Mathew Roy Briana Alize Ruiz Britney Salas Kevin Salazar Kelly Sanichara Robert Alexander Sarkisian Talia Catherine Sarkisian Florence D’avila Sassou Colin Francis Savage Nina Sayarath Lisa Tam Scanlon

Nancy Thao Scanlon Alexandra Marie Scheib Allison Grace Schneider Madeleine Claire Schott Nicholas Jacob Segarra Ceili Nicoll Senft Devon Elizabeth Shay

Nevaeh Rivera

Brynn Elise Sherry

Renee Star Rivera

Liza Shrestha

Yarissa Enid Rivera

Arsen Gregoriy Shtefan

Gurjot Singh Karanveer Singh Rajvir Singh Owen Dean Smith Lorenzo Blumer Sofarelli Dhi-Yannix Soler Rachel Marie Son Jonathan Kyle Sorgio Quinn James Spada Ethan Angelo Speranza James Andrew Standish Tyler Stanley Staron Nichole Katherine Sutliff Emma Elisabeth Tapia Abriana Julia Teodoro Amy Chantal Then Jason Michael Thurston Jr.

Max Siheng Tian Abigail Theresa Tonkinson Lauren Rose Torla Meghan Elaine Torla Jack Henry Tousignant Dyllan James Trafford Meagan Truong Charles Stephen Uthgenannt Joel Valentin Hailie Marie Velez Zachary Iyahn Vesci-Williams

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 19

Marcel Angel Vicente

Hanna Chani Ben-Naim

Justus Walton Coulter

Facundo Gabriel Garcia

Paige Elisabeth Haymond

Alexander Robinson Vietzke

Dilon Winston Bent

Edward Collins Coursey

Jay Eliot Garcia

Alexander Romel Heath

Yaffa Tova Waren

Brett Israel Berman

Allie Luba Crawford

Jack Curtis Gaumer

Marika Wanda Weber

Olivia Ann Birbara

Emily Stephens Cubbage

Jake Patrick Genero

Michelle Jacquelline Hernandez

Jon Azamat Westfall

Lillian Rose Black

Bridget Elisabeth Daly

Katherine Grace George

Isaiah Maleek Joshua Williams

Todor Stoyanov Bliznakov

Kwaku Adusei Danso-Dapaah

Jonah Lewis Gershon

Olivia Lanthier Bonee

Daniel William Davidson

Samuel Richard Giangreco

Alexandra Rae Bradley

Emily Jane Davis

Zoe Isabella Bradley

Trevor Dease

Alanna Lyn Brown

Julian Raymond DeCampos

Owen Donlon Brudz

Jacob Ernest Del Coro

Caitlyn Elizabeth Bucari

Thomas John DeMichele

Maximus Jerome Bunker

Olivia Marion Deslauriers

Spencer James Burke

Mia Edith Aurora Devin

Caroline Grace Burkhard

Prasun Dhakal

Caleb Michael Burr

Jimena Aileen Diaz Del Castillo

Todd Jhavon Wilson Spencer Lee Wimpe Eli R. Wizevich Larry Sirroy Womack Jr. Anna Elisabeth Wood Owen Barry Wood Emma Cantor Wright Levi Rafi Yelin Juan Pablo Yepes Christina Nicole Yett Mollie Ann Yezza Dominic Alijah Zaleski Alexander Nicholas Zayas John Matthew Zehr

WILLIAM H. HALL HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Emma Tower Campbell Nathan Arthur Campbell Nicholas Marshall Campbell Alexander Joseph Carducci Jameson Robert Carnes Nathan Paul Caron David Casimir Cass Thomas Walter Cass

David Michael Abrams-Hochman

Emily Ryan Castineiras

Samantha Michelle Acosta

Riina Grace Cayford

Nicole Eve Adomeit

Joshua Ian Chachques

Anish Aitha

Jayden Isaac Chan

Justin Troy Albee

Octavio Martin Chan

Nadia Saleh Alsubai

Corina Li-Ping Chang

Luke Alexander Alvarez

Benny Chen

Iure Alves De Oliveira

Darren Chen

Delnaz Cyrus Amroliwalla

Marian Yin Chen

Noah Zachary Angell

Anna Robin Cates

Michael Shane Cherny

Matthew Stevenson Antoine

Natasha Angelee Chicerchia

Madison Amber Arroyo

Alicia Chiu

Eva Joy Astrachan

Christopher Keonhee Cho

Bridget Mary Aube

Jilian Vera Chow

Olivia Anne Ayers

Samuel Somerset Church

Abigail Miriam Azia

Marisa Francis Ciafone

Nadav Azran

Julia Michelle Cianflone

Julian Erickson Baker

Gabriela Catherine Ciccomascolo

Diego Enrique Ballesteros Gared James Bard Brandon Thomas Barnett Michael James Patrick Barnett Leo Robert Barrieau Matthew Stephen Barrows

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Flavio Antonio Clermont Ethan Scott Clewes Lauren Lee Cook Angelica Kelly Coronado Mia E. Coronado Andrew V. Coronel

20 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

Daniel Henry Herz Amy Kristin Hidalgo Arden Rose Hill Le Mai Khanh Ho

Christian Angel Diaz Hannah Kay Dinowitz Korey Michael Dinowitz Hibo Mohamed Dirir Isabella Reed Dorian Mia Grace Downey Ava Braulina Duprey Lillian Amy Dupuis Emily Sophia Duzy Ethel Felice Dvoskin Ibrahim Elfatih Elamin Garrett Lee Elliott Britt Kathleen Emerick Sophie Grace Ennis

Hall High Class of 2020 graduation parade. June 15, 2020.

Photo credit: Melanie Gradosn for we-ha.com.

Karina Estremera Korin Naashon Ezell

Sophia Eleni Gianoulis

Desmond Thomas Hoffman

Noel Lawrence Fagan

Grace O’Brien Gillis

Siyi Hong

William Amherst Fallon

Matthew David Goldfarb

Anne Virginia Horton

Zimeng Fan

Elizabeth Rose Gomez

Ryan Alexander Howe

Samantha Rose Farber

Aarik Legend Googe-Rochester

Juliana Hu

Nina Grace Faynshtayn Bianca Day Feiner Thomas William Fernandez-Wolff

Jackson Devine Grady Ashley Marie Granquist Marley Clair Green

Jade Xavier Hunter Noah Zebulun Hurt Joseph Richard Hussey Nicolas Dante Iaiennaro

Calvin Matthew Feulner

Lily Immanuela Guberman

Allison Julia Finman

Abigail Gunraj

Matthew James Fitzsimonds

Alvaro Gutierrez-Martinez

Maya Joselina Irizarry-Lambright

Carlos Augusto Florez

Kiet Tran Tuan Ha

Victoria Gene Israel

William Matthew Fox

Alexei Lawrence Habermehl

Leah Faith Jackson

Emma Taylor Friedman

Naib Habibi

Braylin Javier Taveras

Jacob Max Friedman

Luke Thomas Hache

Rachael Ellen Jopeck

Emma Shannon Frombach

Jayce McKenna Hamilton

Max Ethan Kalsner Kershen

Riley Katherine Gallagher

Max Robert Jae Soo Hanke

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Mira Hoppin Mohler Margaret Jamieson Mohring Edward Todd Monnes Zachary Wilson Moran Julia D. Mouta Leo Christopher Mulready William Deforest Murkette Jackson Joseph Muskrat Yafet Mussie

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KINGSWOOD OXFORD SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Abdullah Ibrahim Suliman

Joey Aiello

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James Amell

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A group of Conard High School teachers along the parade route express their support for the Class of 2020 at the graduation car parade.

June 15, 2020. Photo credit: Ronni Newton for we-ha.com.

Riley Erin Zimmerman

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 21

Juanita Asapokhai

John McLaughlin

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I

NEW ENGLAND JEWISH ACADEMY CLASS OF 2020

22 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

NORTHWEST CATHOLIC CLASS OF 2020 Gabriella Rose Alexander

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Wilfred C., customer since 1978 The agency’s response to my my request for a quote was prompt and professional. The sales representative was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions and provided me options to consider to enhance my coverage. The quote provided exceeded my expectations and my coverage was increased at a much lower cost than my previous company. Additionally, all the staff are friendly and welcoming. I would recommend Keating insurance to anyone who wants good service and excellent coverage at a very fair price.

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 23

VOTE TODAY! ANNOUNCING THE 6TH ANNUAL BEST OF WEST HARTFORD! Each category includes this year’s finalists

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TO VOTE, GO TO WEHACAL.COM/2020/06/08/BESTOFWESTHARTFORD.COM 24 I Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

TRAVEL

Dublin, Donegal, and Northern Ireland

BY LISA MARTIN

In my last article, “Drama and Elegance in Western Ireland”, I described in detail the first half of my trip, my own hand-crafted tour where we stayed in captivating castles, explored parts of the Wild Atlantic Way, and the Ring of Kerry. We left off in Killarney; now onto the second half of my trip.

W

e headed by train to the city of Dublin to join our escorted tour to Northern Ireland. While in Dublin, we stayed steps away from the EPIC Museum, which tells the story of Irish Emigration. The museum is interactive, with music, videos, and photographs, sharing the experience of the 10 million people who left Ireland and the impact they had on the world.

It is one of Dublin’s highlights and was named Europe’s Leading Attraction for 2019. The following night I met up with some of my tour mates and went to a bustling bar with live music - a single guitar player leading the crowd in song who made sure we all had a good time.

The music was a combination of local Irish tunes and classic songs I grew up with; we were surprised that we knew most of the words and could sing along.

One client of mine spent five days in Dublin, and her favorite part was getting to know the people who taught her new songs each night.

The next night, with my new singing buddies, I visited the Guinness Museum, a landmark destination in Dublin.

I didn’t know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the rich chocolate and coffee smell of roasted hops in the air while we learned about all the intricacies of making this iconic beer. I had never tasted Guinness before, and

Bleeding Hearts

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 25

I immediately came to appreciate the dark and creamy beer. Legend says it tastes so good because the water used to brew it comes from the nearby Wicklow Mountains.

We got on our bus the next morning and headed to the historical city of Drogheda for a quick visit. Drogheda is one of the oldest cities in Ireland with many archaeological sites, home to abbey ruins and stunning cathedrals.

Next, we traveled to Belfast to explore the Titanic Museum. The museum is built to look like the prow of the Titanic and is the actual height of the ship.

Outside you can see the outline where the famous ship stood before launching.

Inside the museum, there are exhibits showing what the city of Belfast was like while this ship was being built. There are original documents, pictures, and examples of products made in this industrious town. Recreations of different staterooms from the Titanic Waterlily Star Lotus

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are incased in glass, filled with the style of bedding, chairs, and other furnishings that was on board. There is a short multi-sensory ride in a six-seat car that shows you what it would sound, smell, and feel like if you were walking around the decks while the ship was being built.

What I found rather mesmerizing was a film shown on a three-sided screen that made me feel like I was walking into the belly of the ship and ascended through the decks, which allowed me to view the structure and layers in great detail.

Early the next morning we rode to the Giant’s Causeway, the place I looked forward to the most in Northern Ireland. This UNESCO site is the product of an ancient volcanic eruption 50-60 million years ago that resulted in the iconic interlocking hexagonal basalt columns. Nature can form mathematical designs from molten lava; I was amazed. The Giant’s Causeway gets its name from the legend that two giants

from two different islands used the stones as a bridge until one giant was fooled and destroyed it. Explore the Visitor’s Center built in 2012 and learn about this natural wonder.

We left Giant’s Causeway and stopped at Portaneevey, the viewpoint for Carrick-a-Rede Island and Rope Bridge. The craggy cliffs and steel blue Atlantic Ocean were striking. White sheep dot the landscape, each painted with a little patch of color to identify which herd they belong to.

Back in Belfast, we visited one of Ireland’s oldest pubs – The Crown.

Originally built in the 1820s, this pub has been refurbished to its former glory. The same Italian craftsmen who built the town’s cathedrals also created The Crown’s beautiful woodwork and stained glass. The pub has a nice warm feel to it, and there are small booths for groups, very cozy at ten, I might add!

Later that evening we went to Filthy

McNasty’s, known for large paintings of rock and roll stars, an outdoor area for summer evenings, local musicians, and DJs spinning tunes all night long.

After leaving Belfast, we had lunch at the charming Beech Hill Country House. While eating our local fare, we enjoyed the view of a small stream that ran through the property, and a quiet tree-covered area with a lovely gazebo and benches for weddings. Rooms were cozy and well-appointed; there was even a children’s tea available. The owners were very proud to point to the framed articles mentioning Ed Sheeran and Will Ferrell’s visits. After lunch we drove on to Jackson’s Hotel in the heart of Donegal, back on the west coast.

Our explorations in Donegal included the International Appalachian Trail (IAT). In 2010 the Irish included a stretch from Donegal to Antrim as part of the official IAT. If you love to walk or hike, you will definitely love this beautiful trail along the coast. The Appalachian Trail starts in the US southern state of Georgia and continues through Maine to the top of Newfoundland, Canada. Though Newfoundland and Donegal are now separated by over two thousand miles of ocean, they were once part of the same landmass. I explored where the Irish leg begins at the Slieve League Cliffs. The colorful cliffs are three times taller than the well-known Cliffs of Mohr. If you are looking for adventure, one of the paths is only two feet wide in some parts, requiring special

hiking gear, and a little bravery.

Further along the coast we traveled to Rossnowlagh, a beach community known for its surfing. While eating lunch in our resort with a beachfront view, we watched surfers enjoy the mild waves. Right across the street is the Fin McCool Surf School, great for beginner and intermediate surfers. If you are ambitious you can fit both surfing and fishing in one day. Due to the people on the beach during the day, it is advised to fish the night tides for flounder and bass. If you are a surf and turf person, golf is available in the area as well. Three featured courses include: Donegal Golf Club, a champion links course five minutes from the resort; Narin Portnoo

Top: Grape Hyacynths; Center, Bottom, American Copper but

Daylily; terfly on Seaside Goldenrod Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 27

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Golf Club, a scenic course with links and inland features; and County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point, one of Ireland’s oldest courses.

We finished the country adventure at the luxurious Kilronan Castle. We were transported back in time to the 1700s as we passed through the gates into lush acreage surrounding the castle. In front of the 18th-century castle were blooming hydrangea and to the left, the lake view of Lough Meelagh. The morning sun rising over the lake and resort was glorious. Inside, shimmering chandeliers adorned the high ceilings. We passed by the spa that looked relaxing with pool, sauna, steam room, and whirlpool as we ventured to the cellar for a lovely selection of wine and local cheese. Later that night, we savored a five-course meal of amuse bouche, duck tortellini and foie gras with aged parmesan crisp, baked hake with spinach risotto, fillet of beef with fondant potato, baby carrots, and oxtail au jus. We were treated to chocolate and hazelnut pavĂŠ and hazelnut caviar with chocolate foam for dessert. A harp player complemented our experience with her engaging artistry. The service and atmosphere would be perfect for a wedding, anniversary, or other special occasions.

The next day, we left the countryside and traveled back to Dublin for our last night. I was not ready to leave yet, so I scheduled a visit to the Jameson Whiskey Distillery. There were different tours, but two interested me the most. The first shared the history of the Jameson family, how whiskey is made, and included tastings comparing Jameson with Scottish and US whiskeys.

The second tour compared five varieties of Jameson whiskey with each other.

Even though I am not a whiskey aficionado, I had fun distinguishing the differences between them. I learned that my favorite variety of Jameson is Crested, a special blend that includes a portion aged in sherry casts, giving it a unique spicy sweetness. Crested is not exported to the US, so you can purchase it in Ireland or online. At the end of the tour I wandered through the Jameson

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store and enjoyed selecting jelly infused with whiskey to bring home for family and friends.

On the flight home I realized that over the course of eleven days I had fallen in love with Ireland. I want to bring my family to see the beauty of this Emerald Isle, experience the history, hear the legends, and get to know its wonderful people. I know anyone who visits would fall in love with Ireland too.

Lisa Martin, Travel Advisor, Luxury Cruise Specialist, ACC, Cruise Planners; Land and Cruise 860.929.0708 lisa.martin@ cruiseplanners.com TotalTravelToday.com

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Vol. 9, No. 3, 2019 west hartford magazine 31

GARDENING

Gardening in a Time of Quarantine

BY KARLA A. DALLEY

B

y the time this is published, I hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind us. I certainly hope that the days of food shortages are over.

This spring has been like nothing any of us has ever seen, and I am not referring to the cold April or the late snows.

But one bright spot—if it could be called that—is gardening. Those of us with existing gardens surely know what I mean. My own garden has provided a place to get outside, a place to safely converse with neighbors while social distancing, and even a way to ease frustration by pruning.

Another way that gardening is providing respite is by providing some relief from the feeling of food insecurity.

There is some comfort in knowing that while we may not be able to find certain items at the market, we can grow our own berries, vegetables and herbs.

This trend is not new. Our grandparents, or perhaps great-grandparents, did exactly this to combat food scarcity and rationing during World War II. It was called victory gardening and while that trend was short-lived, the idea of backyard fruit and vegetable gardening has never completely died out.

The pandemic has resurrected the idea of victory gardening, quarantine gardening, or pandemic gardening (it’s being called a few different things in various media). Existing gardeners are growing more edibles and people who perhaps had never thought of gardening before are trying it for the first time.

If gardening is new to you or you want to add some edible plants, this is the perfect time! The danger of frost is past, and our growing season is here. The

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32 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

garden centers are well stocked with transplants of vegetable plants ready to go into the ground (with the exception of green beans; it is too late to start seeds at this point).

Be sure that you have adequate sun—most vegetable plants need 6-8 hours of sun a day. And assess your “critter” situation before beginning.

There’s nothing worse than growing tasty vegetables for deer and squirrels!

You may need some fencing or organic repellent to deter them.

Follow the spacing instructions on the labels for the plants. In fact, it’s good to read those labels for all the information that the growers provide. They tell you growth rate, habit (which will tell you if you need to stake, cage or trellis in the case or tomatoes or beans, for example) and days to harvest. It’s important to know “days to harvest” so that you how long until you’ll be eating from the garden.

As for insects and disease control, remember that there’s a reason you are growing your own food. So if you see a bug or two, or if you see a chewed leaf, it’s generally not the end of the world.

I can’t think of a time when I have used any sort of control—not organic and certainly not chemical—on my edibles.

For those of you with smaller yards— or who might not be sure about digging up a portion of the yard—gardening in containers is a great way to start. There are many varieties of vegetables that have been bred specifically for containers and your local garden center will be able to direct you to the best choices.

Be sure to choose a container that is large enough to for your choice—there’s nothing worse than having to water

multiple times a day, or worse yet, than having your newly planted plants fail to grow properly. You definitely want success this year, when all else around us is not normal!

If you’re concerned about weight (but not about appearance) fabric grow bags are a great choice for vegetables. You can set containers of decorative annuals around them (annuals for pollinators would be a great choice, or even herbs).

Be sure to choose container or potting soil for your containers, not something like topsoil or garden soil.

You can also plant smaller edible varieties directly into sunny ornamental borders (provided that you use no chemical fertilizers or pesticides there).

So many herbs and even smaller vegetables are decorative: curly-leafed parsley, with its frilly edges, tri-color sage with lovely purple cream and green leaves (and blue flowers, as a bonus), tin-leafed globed basil, silver and lemon-leafed thyme, peppers that come in colors of red, yellow and brown (as well as the traditional green, of course)—your choices are just limited by what you like to eat.

So this year, take a trip to the garden center—and then get growing! You won’t be sorry that you did!

Karla Dalley is a garden writer and speaker from West Hartford. kdalley@comcast.net. gardendaze.wordpress.com Photo courtesy of the Olive Gypsy Boutique,

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Vol. 10, No. 1, 2020 west hartford magazine I 33

CUISINE

FOODIE & SON

BY STEPHEN & MAX WEINSTEIN

Two generations of food mavens

Asparagus soup with a dollop of sour cream from my father’s kitchen

Empanadas from Pachanga Empanadas Argentinas

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34 Vol. 10, No. 1, 2020 west hartford magazine

D

elivery, pick-up, take-out, whatever you call it, has seen a tremendous evolution in the past 15 years.

Third-party delivery services like Postmates and UberEats have made it easier for local stores to get their food into our homes. Who could have ever predicted that this “take-out evolution” would experience a massive, unplanned step due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Sometime in April, after three or four weeks of quarantine, my fiancé and I, self-appointed “foodies”, began to loathe our kitchen.

Unlike my father, who subconsciously runs a large restaurant in his house, we were running out of things to cook. And the effort it takes.

Many of us have utilized this unprecedented time at home to work on home projects, hobbies, art, and education. My father has made distinctive and extravagant recipes every single night since the inception of COVID-19. Each evening, my siblings and I get a text with a photo and long description.

However endearing this may sound, please don’t forget that the unpaid kitchen cleaning staff has been my mother, who is also working from home. After each delightful text from my father, there is a follow-up photo (in separate group of course) of the aftermath from Mom. My lovely fiancé has been quick to point out that the apple (me) does not fall far from the tree. She supports these accusations with photo evidence of our small apartment kitchen in total disarray.

After several weeks or repeating the cook-clean-cook cycle, we needed a reprieve.

So where was the first place we were going to order from? What did we really crave?

Good empanadas.

Empanadas, for those readers who should already be googling “order empanadas near me,” are baked or fried turnovers made with a filling of meat, cheese or vegetables inside.

While their origins are Spanish, different styles of these culinary delights can be found in many Latin American countries. So where do you get authentic and perfect empanadas in West Hartford?

You call in an order to Pachanga Empanadas Argentinas on Park Road. Since it was the first time ordering in, we splurged and ordered a dozen. After calling in the order, it was a quick drive down the road and we had our baked delicacies in hand.

I would be lying if I told you that the box made it home. I’m sure there are still some crumbs under the seat in my car. Each empanada is made in a different shape.

Pachanga includes a small paper guide so you know which is which. The flavor of each empanada is complimented by the sauces that go on top. Pachanga empanadas are truly authentic. This is a great option for a night in ordering. Pachenga also has dessert empanadas as well as appetizers.

Pachanga Empanadas Argentinas Pick-up or delivery 280 Park Road, West Hartford 860.995.8025

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 35

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Vol. 10, No. 1, 2020 west hartford magazine 37

FINANCE

EIGHT MISTAKES THAT CAN UPEND YOUR RETIREMENT

BY WHITNEY F. BURR

P

ursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible.

8. It’s Not Only About Money: Above all, a rewarding retirement requires good health, so maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stay socially involved, and remain intellectually active.

1. No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all. Without a strategy, you may have no goals, leaving you no way of knowing how you will get there—and if you’ve even arrived. Creating a strategy may increase your potential for success, both before and after retirement.

Here at Burr Capital Advisors our goal is to help you pursue financial independence on your terms by guiding you through your financial life, as well as by offering assistance in your personal life when you seek advice or need a confidant to speak to. To learn more and for a complimentary review of your individual goals and objectives please call our office at 860-678-6260 and visit our website at www. burrcapital.com.

2. Frequent Trading: Chasing “hot” investments often leads to despair. Create an asset allocation strategy that is properly diversified to reflect your objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon; then make adjustments based on changes in your personal situation, not due to market ups and downs.1 3. Not Maximizing Tax-Deferred Savings: Workers have tax-advantaged ways to save for retirement. Not participating in your employer’s 401(k) may be a mistake, especially when you’re passing up free money in the form of employer-matching contributions.2 4. Prioritizing College Funding over Retirement: Your kids’ college education is important, but you may not want to sacrifice your retirement for it. Remember, you can get loans and grants for college, but you can’t for your retirement.

5. Overlooking Healthcare Costs: Extended care may be an expense that can undermine your financial strategy for retirement if you don’t prepare for it.

6. Not Adjusting Your Investment: Approach Well Before Retirement: The last thing your retirement portfolio can afford is a sharp fall in stock prices and a sustained bear market at the moment you’re ready to stop working.

Consider adjusting your asset allocation in advance of tapping your savings so you’re not selling stocks when prices are depressed.3 7. Retiring with Too Much Debt: If too much debt is bad when you’re making money, it can be deadly when you’re living in retirement.

Consider managing or reducing your debt level before you retire.

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38 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

Contact: Whitney F. Burr, President & Owner 860.678.6260 wburr@burrcapital.com burrcapitaladvisors.com

1. The return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Asset allocation and diversification are approaches to help manage investment risk. Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee against investment loss. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

2. Under the SECURE Act, in most circumstances, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from your 401(k) or other defined contribution plan in the year you turn 72. Withdrawals from your 401(k) or other defined contribution plans are taxed as ordinary income, and if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty.

3. The return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Asset allocation is an approach to help manage investment risk. Asset allocation does not guarantee against investment loss. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2020 FMG Suite.

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 39

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40 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 41

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42 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

find us online all the time at westhartfordmagazine.com

WINE

The Many Shades of Rosé

BY ERTAN SENER

“

There are no standards of taste in wine, cigars, poetry, prose, etc. Each man’s own taste is the standard, and the majority vote cannot decide for him or in any slightest degree affect the supremacy of his own standard,” –Mark Twain, 1895. I remember this quote every time I taste, especially when I am choosing wine for others to enjoy. The one style of wine that is becoming easier and easier to suggest, but still might get a pause and a raised eyebrow when suggested is…rosé.

No, no, no…not that sweet pink stuff that you have to get when your great aunt comes over for the holidays (and even that is okay; refer to the opening quote!), but that wonderful, dry, refreshing wine when chilled is the bridge of enjoyment between white and red.

Let’s take a Wine 101 moment to explore the world of rosé in two easy steps.

Raspberry, Black Pepper, Herbs, Pears, Peach, Passion Fruit, Orange Blossoms, Floral, Wild Strawberries… see what I mean. That is just a short list of perfumes that will jump out of the glass.

Well time to help the wine.

STEP 2: TASTE Rosés are a great wine for this time of year when temperatures are rising, and it might be too hot for a glass of red. The taste of rosé, depending on the grape variety or varieties used, could reflect the similar scents that are on the nose.

Besides the reflection a great refreshing fruit flavors, delivered over the palate with this dry wine, is the texture or mouth feel. Rosé is meant to be served chilled so it immediately perks up the palate, then the senses are surprised by the wonderful reflection of red fruit the flavor has to offer. All this pleasure is contained in a liquid that has a creamy texture that covers the taste buds in all its beauty. Rosé is a fantastic choice for an endless list of food pairings. Perfect pair for anything in the picnic basket, especially any mayonnaise-based dressings or spreads. Chicken salad, egg salad, aiolis, deviled eggs, you get the picture. Rosés are great with salads and can stand up to many styles of salad dressings. Just because it’s pink doesn’t mean it is not tough. Rosé can stand up to certain foods that are not wine-friendly such as artichokes and

STEP 1: SMELL Remember to take time to stop and smell the rosés! The overall smell of each wine is as unique as its color and taste profile. Get your nose really in there to discovery all the wonders of rosé. The “nose”(the bouquet and aroma of the wine) can be as pretty as the color. You’ll be amazed of all the components the nose might contain. Wild Cherry, Pink Grapefruit,

asparagus! Flank steak, sure! Chicken, of course! Pastas with a light tomato cream sauce, um…YUM! There are really no bad pairings with rosé, just some that are better than others. Not just for hot weather, rosé is great as a choice on the Thanksgiving table. When whites are not enough and reds are too much, I tend to think pink; rosé that is.

Rosé definitely has its place in the color wheel of wine. Have fun this season trying the variations on a theme with all the rosés there are to sample.

Rosé is that no brainer when you are looking for that perfect wine to pair with an outdoor concert, grillin’ at a picnic, or just relaxing on the front porch this summer season. If the color pink makes you stop and think you are setting yourself up to be teased, remember the words of former rocker-now wine-maker Charles Smith: “Yes, you can drink rosé and still be BAD –SS!” Cheers!

Buyer/Manager West Side Wines & Spirits 10 Raymond Road West Hartford 06107 860.233.1241

Ertan Sener is also an accomplished musician working as a Conductor/Music Educator at the Hartt School, University of Hartford, Music Director of The Simsbury Community Band and former conductor with The New Britain Symphony Orchestra.

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 43

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44 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

W. H. CHAMBER NOTES

The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce:

An Organization Reimagined

BY CHRIS CONWAY

A

t the end of March 2020, fifty-five small business owners and representatives from large companies and non-profits came together to discuss the state of their businesses, share best practices and reinforce the sentiment, “We are all in this together.” Lest you think this meeting was held in violation of the Governor’s executive order or physical distancing practices, it was not. The meeting was held via Zoom and was organized by the West Hartford Chamber as part of our new suite of virtual networking and educational opportunities.

Networking by leveraging technology is just the beginning of how the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce has had to pivot in the wake of COVID-19 to remain a resource for businesses.

“Using tools like Zoom, we’ve successfully brought our community together in video conferences to keep our business and social networks thriving. Members have been able to share their challenges and victories and have provided support and solutions for each other,” says Kate Kobs, Outreach & Development Coordinator for the Chamber.

Along with moving our traditionally in-person events to the virtual world, we have increased communications with our members regarding the various federal, state and local mandates. In collaboration with the town, we are also disseminating information on the many financial programs being offered by the SBA and DECD. “It’s crucial that we supply our business community with up-to-date information and consistent support to allow for the best possible outcome,”

says Kristen Gorski, Economic Development Specialist for the town of West Hartford. “The Chamber staff continues to work quickly and collaboratively on providing resources and initiatives that are most valuable to our businesses.”

Gorski and the Chamber Staff meet via Zoom on a regular basis with the various business and neighborhood associations in town to share updates and hear about their challenges and concerns.

“The West Hartford Chamber has always been a resource I can count on for supporting my business and they are 100% committed to help building our group of businesses in the Design District,” says Design District President David Chmielewski. He continued, “Nobody wants to stop working or servicing their customers. The Design District members are an incredible group of business owners doing the most they can to help people complete projects that sometimes just can’t be put on hold.”

The Chamber’s Chairman, Robert Kulakowski, added, “Our staff has been networking, too! They have been working with other chambers and business

organizations around Connecticut and the Nation to find best practices for these trying times.”

One of the programing ideas that was a direct result of these collaborations are our Virtual Business Showcases.

Run like a live television show, these programs bring viewers and potential customers into our retail businesses via Zoom, social media and West Hartford Community Interactive.

“Our members have really pulled together at a time like this,” says Chamber Member Services Coordinator Jessie Bouclier. “We had created Facebook groups for local restaurants and other businesses within the first week to really give people an opportunity to connect.”

Andres and Karin Montiel, who own Pachanga on Park Road, have seen a positive impact on their business as a result of the Chamber’s initiatives. “The Chamber’s smart and timely creation of Takeout Time West Hartford has been a great help to restaurants like Pachanga that have remained open during the crisis to serve the public.”

With the “new normal” evolving daily, the Chamber will continue to assess, innovate and respond to the needs of our community. As always, if you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to contact me directly at cconway@ whchamber.com or (860) 810-5663.

Stay safe and be well!

Christopher Conway Executive Director West Hartford Chamber of Commerce

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 45

Sharp Minds Shine Brighter Satisfy your love of learning in a community of active, engaged seniors.

At The McAuley, intellectual curiosity is worth celebrating. With stimulating on-site lectures and classes from Trinity College and the University of Hartford, free courses next door at the University of Saint Joseph, thought-provoking book discussions, and access to cultural events across West Hartford, there are plenty of ways to keep learning while enjoying the lifestyle you deserve.

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46 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

e t s Ta st of We d

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 47

SAVE THE DATE

Save the Date

Saturday, September 12, 2020 Drive-In fundraiser to benefit the Ron Foley Foundation 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. (gates open at 2:30) Folly Farm Equestrian Center, Simsbury, CT

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48 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

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WEDDINGS

Sam and Evan Sameroff Embark on the Adventure of a Lifetime “We were looking for adventure and a new experience,” say Samantha (Udolf) and Evan Sameroff, who wed on July 13, 2019 in Sam’s hometown of West Hartford.

It sits regally on the list of the Seven Wonders of Africa. The endless plains of the Serengeti stretch out for 12,000 square miles from north Tanzania to southwestern Kenya. A vast ecosystem rife with blue wildebeests, gazelles, zebras, buffalos, lions and spotted hyenas. A landscape dotted with rich grasslands and trees, granite vol-canic rock — and even an active volcano.

There are no words, they say.

“The safari was very romantic and serene.

It was a unique and humbling experience to be in the middle of the Serengeti, feeling one with nature. We chose East Africa in particular because of the wildebeest migration. We were fortunate to see many river crossings of thousands of wildebeest — an experience that no picture or video does justice.”

It is the embodiment of adventure; the very essence of new experiences.

And that, say Samantha and Evan Sameroff, is what made it the perfect honeymoon. One adventure — an African safari — from which to begin the ultimate adventure — marriage.

Of course, there’s ‘romantic and serene’… and then there’s “romantic serene.” And so, the newly minted Sameroffs followed

up their Serengeti safari with some rest and relaxation at a peaceful and alluring beach resort in Zanzibar.

One might say that the seed that led to the Sameroffs’ African safari was planted some two years earlier, when Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi of the Chabad Jewish center at Harvard University introduced the two at a party celebrating the festive Jewish holiday of Purim. Sam was then a senior at Harvard and Evan was finishing up his last year at Harvard Business School.

Two years later, Sam, the daughter of Danielle and Robert Udolf of West Hartford, and Evan, the son of Ellen Rinaldi and Jeffrey Sameroff of Wayne, Pennsylvania, and the late Marilyn Sameroff, found themselves standing under a chupah (a

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 49

Jewish wedding canopy) at West Hartford’s Congregation Beth Israel, where Sam had celebrated her bat mitzvah several years earlier. There, in a ceremony officiated by Beth Israel’s Rabbi MIchael Pincus, the couple shared their own written vows, lit candles for their departed loved ones — Sam’s grandfather, Leonard Udolf, and Evan’s mother, Marilyn Sameroff, and Evan slipped his late mother’s wedding band on Sam’s finger.

Guests then headed off to The Delamar Hotel, where they enjoyed a resplendent outdoor cocktail reception under a glittering tent, followed by a dazzling evening of dinner and dancing in the hotel ballroom, with toasts by Sam’s dad and sister, Maid of Honor Claudia Udolf, as well as Evan’s brother and Best Man, Scott Sameroff.

Speaking of dancing…everyone was on their feet for a special “live concert” featuring the groom on electric guitar, sitting in with the band, Night Shift Entertainment. Evan was also joined by Sam’s uncle Ted, on bass, and Evan’s uncle Terry, on drums, performing Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”

In addition to the Maid of Honor, Sam was attended by bridesmaids Alexandra Lobel, Ava Nasro, Mia Tsusaka, Ashley Notzon, Jessica Morgan, Alina Ranjbaran, her sister-in-law Janice Wong, and Aliya Itzkowitz; and, in addition to his Best Man, Evan was attended by groomsmen: Sam’s brother Dylan Udolf, Claudia’s fiancee Mack Johnston, Bryan Chesen, Spencer Clements-Green, Noah Bachow, Stephen Bachow, and Paul Knepley. Flower girls were Olivia Lazar, Caroline Tucker and Mikaela Sameroff; and Leo Lazar served as Ring Bearer.

A year later, the Sameroffs are happily ensconced at their home in New York City, where Sam will soon begin her final year at Columbia Business School, and Evan is vice president at the private equity firm Lovell Minnick Partners.

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50 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

Hope Moustakakis is attending the highly-competitive Rice University in Houston, Texas.

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CEREMONIES

PUTTING LOVE ON HOLD CT party vendors regroup after the pandemic takes a bite out of business

BY STACEY DRESNER

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52 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

L

ove may conquer all – but unfortunately it hasn’t prevented countless celebrations from falling victim to the effects of the coronavirus.

The ban on large gatherings, which went into effect in Connecticut mid-March, has impacted events of all kinds — weddings, engagement, anniversary and birthday parties, showers, bar/bat mitzvahs — and no one knows that better than the vendors who are experiencing huge drops in business as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ninety percent of the clients booked by Events by Amy LLC this summer are rescheduling their events for a later date. Owner Amy Oved offers floral design and event planning, and May and June are usually two of the busiest months for Oved.

“Most couples have postponed,” says Oved.

But even those clients who have postponed are not certain if their rescheduled nuptials will take place.

“Some couples postponed until the fall and now they are panicking a little bit because they don’t know if there will be a second round of Covid,” Oved says.

Now, some couples are doing intimate or “micro-wedding” packages. Some have still ordered flowers from Oved, “but not a lot. It’s scaled down,” she admitts.

Oved took advantage of Mother’s Day – children who were not able to take their moms out for brunch opted to send them flowers instead.

“Mother’s Day was extremely busy. I did quite a few deliveries in West Hartford,” said Oved, who remains optimistic. “I’m booking weddings for 2021 and 2022. Next year in May, June and the following fall, I’m booked with people that postponed to those dates. I’m very optimistic for 2021. I think that most people are looking forward to celebrating with family and friends as soon as possible. Love is love.”

While Oved has been able to transfer most wedding deposits to their future dates, Louise Albin, proprietor of Café Louise Catering, has had to weather several big cancellations.

“We had numerous events that started cancelling by mid-March, and deposits I had to return, of course,” says Albin. “Things were rescheduled, or it went from 100 to 200 people down to 50 to 60, with question marks still on dates. Showers that were supposed to be for 50 to 60 women went down to 20.”

And those showers have pared down more than just the size of the event. For example, instead of buffets, Café Louise has been asked to make hors d’oeuvres that are individually wrapped so that hosts can hand them out to their guests.

Justin Schwalbendorf, owner of Schwalb’s Photography, specializes in wedding, engagement and graduation photos, and portraits of high school seniors. He doesn’t do many bar/bat mitvahs, but recently a friend asked him to shoot her daughter’s “car parade” bat mitzvah, which was taking place on the day

Now that the state is entering Phase 2 of reopening, Albin says that she has been getting more calls.

“The last two weeks I’ve been getting inquiries for weddings. But they say they were going to go to The North House with 150 people; now they are going to do it in the bride’s mom’s backyard, with fewer than 10 people. So they are completely shifting gears and the events are much smaller.”

To combat the lack of business, Albin has reinstituted her “Meals to Go” business, something she had offered several years ago.

Her menu includes prepared entrees, soups, and salads, and dinners that can be picked up or delivered and re-heated at home.

The silver lining: Albin has gone back into the kitchen.

“I‘ve turned back into the head pastry chef and I’m cooking,” she says. “It’s fun; I had missed that while running the catering business. Now, it’s just whatever I can do to make it work” — which includes teaching a Zoom cooking class and packing refrigerators in the front of her café with prepared meals.

holding congratulatory signs, Schwalbendorf snapped away.

He was happy to do it, especially since the weddings he had booked for this spring and summer have been postponed, and a few cancelled.

“I had everything lined up until the end of November,” Schwalbendorf said. “As of right now nobody booked for November has moved their event, but everything else has been moved to later this year or 2021.

Everything is in flux.”

Luckily, he has been able to do several engagement and college graduate portrait jobs over the last few weeks, wearing a mask and standing at least six feet away from the subjects.

And for the first time, he’s been doing family portrait sessions.

“I don’t usually do them,” says Schwalbendorf, “but I think some families feel that during this time it is special to have these moments captured.”

she would have been celebrating her milestone event in synagogue and at a party for friends. As friends and family drove by the bat mitzvah girl’s house shouting greetings and

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 53

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 55

A ROSE IS A ROSE… IS ONE OF MANY EXQUISITE FLOWERS TO CARRY YOU DOWN THE AISLE

Winter, spring, summer, fall. Regardless of the season, carrying a breathtaking bouquet of your favorite flower down the aisle at your wedding is a must. And if your favorite flower doesn’t fall within your budget, color palette and style, there are plenty of other pretty blooms to choose from. Here are 10 suggestions from the folks at Shutterfly (www.shutterfly.com).

PEONY t

ROSE s

Perfect for a spring or summer wedding, the lush and fragrant peony provides a romantic look. Peonies are traditionally pink, white or red, but you can also find them in shades of coral, mahogany and yellow.

Roses are available in solid hues and bicolor varieties—there are even striped and tipped roses as well. Many of the more than 3,000 varieties of roses are available year-round and are surprisingly affordable.

RANUNCULUS s Ideal for the spring, summer or fall wedding, the budget-friendly ranunculus makes for a striking display. Ranunculus look stunning paired with anything, from roses to succulents, so you can go rustic or elegant.

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HYDRANGEA s The hydrangea is voluminous — so use one or two full blooms sparingly as part of your bouquet, or turn just a few into a centerpiece.

Their shape resembles a beating heart, so they symbolize perseverance and emotion.

SUCCULENT s

CALLA LILY s

ORCHID s

s

Gardenias represent elegance and grace.

Gardenias have no stem, so one looks beautiful floating in a bowl of water with candles or pinned to your hair.

Available year-round, the trendy succulent, which comes in a variety of styles and shades, can embellish your bouquet or serve as a backdrop for centerpieces. They work great for anything from an elegant affair to a rustic outdoor wedding.

GARDENIA

The calla lily’s trumpet blossom and long stem give it a sleek and modern look. Place a few in a tall vase for a dramatic centerpiece.

Colors include creamy ivory, dark purple, yellow, orange and pink.

This timeless and exotic flower symbolizes beauty and refinement, making a stunning accent to any arrangement. They work well for tropical or beachy weddings.

Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 57

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s

DAHLIA

The dahlia’s round petals pair well with a loose bundle of greenery. Dahlias bloom in an wide array of colors, from subdued to vibrant, and are most popular in the summer.

TULIP t The tulip’s prime season is spring. With its oblong shaped petals, the tulip has many different varieties and colors that pair beautifully with peonies for a textured arrangement.

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58 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine INSERTION INFORMATION:

Top Tips for Creating the Best Wedding Registry Filling your home with gifts from friends and family is one of the most meaningful ways to begin your life married life together — especially if those gifts are things you either need or want (or both). Which brings us to the all important wedding gift registry… and these tips from The Knot’s All-in-One Wedding Registry (theknot.com/registry).

lifestyle — and that you’ll both enjoy. But remember, your tastes and priorities may change over time. n Ask questions Is the gift-buying process hassle-free? How many locations does the store have? Can guests order by phone, fax or online? Make sure the registry is user-friendly for giftbuyers before you sign on.

n Act now You just got engaged? Time to put together your registry — guests may already be thinking ahead to your engagement party or shower, or maybe they just can’t wait to say “congrats” with a gift.

n Look for perks Before choosing where to register, find out what kinds of perks and discounts are available. For example, some retailers offer a “completion program” that allows you to purchase whatever you don’t receive at a discount. Ask about it.

n It takes two Take an inventory of what you and your partner each have and will keep, as well as what you still need and want. Include in your registry items that speak to your likes and

n Don’t overdo it Choose two to four registries to give guests more choices, while keeping it manageable.

Also, it’s best to register with at least one larger retailer like Amazon.com or Williams Sonoma. n Know your guests Register for items in a range of prices so people can choose gifts within their means.

Provide a mix of goods: Think traditional for older relatives, and affordable and fun for college pals. n Guide the gift-giving When you first register, sign up for products you really want or need. Then, as the items on your checklist start to dwindle, add more.

That way you won’t be stuck with a fruit basket when you really need those extra salad plates.

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 59

n Stay in season If you have longer than one year before the wedding, don’t register for seasonal items that’ll be replaced in a few months. When they’re ready to buy, guests may find those things have been discontinued. n Sign up for storage Don’t forget to register for things in which to stash your gifts, i.e., you’ll want to store sterling silver and silver-plated flatware in felt rolls in a silver chest with slotted insets (or a tightly closed drawer) lined with felt linen to prevent scratching, denting and tarnishing. n Think outside the box Have everything you already need? Register for experiences. Create a honeymoon and/ or cash registry — like The Knot Newlywed Fund — and receive gifts from a Netflix subscription to spa treatments. n Check out and check up Once you’ve finished creating your list, read it over carefully to make sure there are no mistakes. If a store rep assisted you, get a business card so you have a point person should you have any questions/corrections later.

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n Keep track Visit your registries often to make sure that purchased gifts have been removed and update your lists with additional items. n Stay open late Tradition dictates that guests have up to one year from your wedding day to buy a gift; so that’s at least how long your registry should remain active. n Be gracious Handwritten thank-you notes for gifts received before the wedding should be sent within two weeks of arrival. Notes for gifts received on or after the wedding day should be sent within two months of your return from the honeymoon.

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60 Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine

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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 63

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